Propagating herbs is an easy and inexpensive method for any gardener, young or seasoned pro, to use to expand their collection. Guest contributor Whitney Curtis is the lady behind the blog The Curtis Casa. She shows us how to propagate rosemary in the form of an easy-to-make mini-topiary. It’s great for hostess gifts, table settings or decorating your patio.

I chose rosemary for its strong scent and thick leaves. This project is simple. In fact, you can whip up this rosemary topiary and five others just like it in an afternoon. All it takes is four main steps: Snip, Dip, Plant and Shape.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your rosemary topiary:

Step 1

To get started, fill your terra cotta pots with soil. Next, make a small hoop out of simple garden wire. You can use any circular object around your house to help you shape the wire and secure the base. In the photo above, you can see that I used a drinking glass for my template.

Step 2

Place your hoop in the soil and pack tightly to secure it. Next, clip two sprigs of rosemary and remove the leaves on the bottom third of the branches. The length of your rosemary clippings will depend on the size of the topiary you want.

Tip: Try to clip the rosemary at the “softwood” – the area in the middle of the branch that’s between the brand new, bright green growth and the older, matured, woody area. It’s much easier for the plant to form roots from the softwood.

Step 3

Dip your rosemary sprig in the rooting powder and shake a little to get rid of the excess. This solution simply helps speed up the rooting process.

Step 4

Now for the fun part! Plant your rosemary sprig in the soil, up close and cozy with the hoop you made out of garden wire. Tie the rosemary sprig to the wire with garden twine to secure. Work your way around the hoop, the rosemary should bend and form easily to the shape of the wire, but be careful not to break it. One stem should reach about halfway around your circular topiary hoop.

Step 5

Repeat this process for the second clipping, planting it on the other side and forming it around the hoop to complete the circle. Tie it off with more twine where needed. And voila! Your rosemary topiary is complete.

Step 6

Keep your new plant in a sunny window and water it every few days. The roots should begin to grow in about two to three weeks. Keep your rosemary topiary by a kitchen window for fresh rosemary for cooking or carefully remove the topiary wire and grow outside.

Whitney Curtis lives in Atlanta, and is the author of the home and garden blog, The Curtis Casa. In addition to DIY projects and interior design musings, Whitney regularly shares dos and don’ts for first-time gardeners. Never afraid to get her hands dirty with her next project or call Mom for help, Whitney is happiest with her handy-man husband and two four-legged friends by her side.